- This is the Day
- Posts
- October 3
October 3
Saint Francis of Assisi and Woody Guthrie
David Barnhart
October 03, 2025
Sloth, Bolivia, 2008. Own photo.
Today marks the death, in 1226, of Saint Francis of Assisi, Italian mystic and friar whose devotion to simplicity, poverty, and God’s creation have shaped Christianity in the second millenium. He was the son of a wealthy nobleman who rejected his inherited wealth and embraced the life of an itinerant preacher. A saying often misattributed to him, but which aligns with his theology, is “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.” He also made a habit of referring to the more-than-human world as his family, as in “Brother Sun, Sister Moon.” His feast day is celebrated tomorrow.
Today also marks the death, in 1967, of Woody Guthrie, folk musician and activist, whose music inspired generations of socially-conscious folk and rock musicians. His lyrics and public speaking were often about lifting up the working class and opposing fascism.
Reflection:
From Woody Guthrie’s song, “Tom Joad”:
Ever'body might be just one big soul,
Well it looks that a-way to me.
Everywhere that you look, in the day or night,
That's where I'm a-gonna be, Ma,
That's where I'm a-gonna be.
Wherever little children are hungry and cry,
Wherever people ain't free.
Wherever men are fightin' for their rights,
That's where I'm a-gonna be, Ma.
That's where I'm a-gonna be.
And from “All You Fascists Bound to Lose”:
I'm gonna tell all you fascists, you may be surprised
People all over this world are getting organized
You're bound to lose
You fascists are bound to lose
Race hatred cannot stop us, this one thing I know
Poll tax and Jim Crow and greed have got to go
You're bound to lose
You fascists are bound to lose
Prayer: God of justice, unite your children in the pursuit of liberation for all your Creation. Amen.